Part Five

The pulsing beat of the music thrummed through Caspian's body as he stood at the edge of the dance floor, his silver eyes scanning the writhing mass of bodies. A young woman with bleached blonde hair and too much perfume sidled up to him, her intentions as transparent as the sheer top she wore.

"Dance with me?" she purred, running a finger down his chest.

Caspian caught her wrist gently but firmly, his lips curving into a polite smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm afraid I must decline," he said, his voice a low, velvety rumble that barely carried over the music.

The woman pouted, clearly unused to rejection. "Come on, just one dance. I've always wanted to... you know... with a vampire."

A flash of irritation crossed Caspian's face, quickly masked by his usual cool demeanor. He was about to respond when a familiar hand clapped him on the back.

"There you are, brother," came a voice laced with amusement. "Making new friends, I see?"

Caspian turned to see his brother, relief washing over him. The blonde woman, sensing defeat, melted back into the crowd with a huff.

"Damien," Caspian greeted, grateful for the interruption. His eyes drifted back to where he'd last seen Lily, a mixture of longing and frustration twisting in his gut.

Damien followed his gaze, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "So, who was that enchanting redhead you were talking to earlier? I don't think I've seen you so... captivated... in decades."

Caspian hesitated, the memory of Lily's scent, an intoxicating blend of jasmine and something uniquely her, still lingering in his senses. "Her name is Lily," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "And she's... different."

Damien's eyebrows shot up, his interest piqued. "Different how?"

Caspian leaned in closer, the pulsing bass of the music providing a cover for their conversation. "She's a witch," he admitted, his silver eyes glinting in the dim light.

His brother's jaw dropped. "You managed to dance with a witch without her trying to kill you or you trying to kill her?" Damien's voice was a mixture of disbelief and awe.

Caspian nodded slowly, still trying to process it himself. "It's like that aversion just... wasn't there," he mused, running a hand through his dark hair. The memory of Lily's body pressed against his sent a shiver down his spine. "Her magic... it was curious, not hostile."

A low chuckle escaped Damien's lips. "Well, that's certainly unexpected. Though I imagine her friends weren't quite as welcoming?"

Caspian's lips curved into a wry smile. "Oh, they definitely wanted to kill me," he said, recalling the daggers Elena's eyes had been shooting at him. "Particularly the blonde one. If looks could stake a vampire, I'd be a pile of ash right now."

He scanned the crowd again, hoping for a glimpse of fiery red hair, but Lily was long gone. The disappointment settled in his chest like a physical weight.

"Be careful, brother," Damien warned, his tone suddenly serious. "Witches and vampires... There's a reason for that instinctual aversion. History isn't kind to those who ignore it."

Caspian nodded absently, but his mind was already wandering, plotting ways to see Lily again. The rational part of him knew Damien was right, but for the first time in centuries, he felt truly alive. And he wasn't ready to let that feeling go.

Damien leaned in closer, his nostrils flaring slightly. His eyes narrowed as he studied Caspian's face. "There's something else," he said, his voice low and laced with concern. "I can smell her on you, Caspian. But I can tell you now, I feel that instinct to kill her."

A jolt of electricity shot through Caspian's body at his brother's words. He hadn't noticed it before, but now that Damien mentioned it... His skin tingled where Lily had touched him, and her scent - a heady mixture of jasmine and something uniquely her - lingered in his senses, making his mouth water.

"Don’t even think about going near her," Caspian growled, his voice tight with sudden tension.

Damien's eyes met his, filled with a mixture of worry and fascination. "This isn't normal, Caspian. Your body is responding to her scent like... like she's prey, but also not. It's as if your vampire instincts are at war with something else."

The implications of Damien's words sent a surge of possessiveness through Caspian. His eyes flared a brilliant red, pupils dilating as he growled, "Don't even think about going near her, Damien. She's mine."

The words were out before he could stop them, shocking them both into silence. Caspian blinked, trying to regain control of his suddenly heightened emotions. What was happening to him?

Damien raised an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. "Yours? Brother, you've known her for all of five minutes. And she's a witch. I assume her friends were just as cautious about this... situation as I am?"

Caspian let out a low, humorless chuckle, running a hand through his dark hair. The pulsing lights of the bar seemed to dim around them, casting shadows that danced across his sharp features. "That's the understatement of the century," he replied, his voice rich with irony.

He could still feel the heat of Lily's body against his, the way her hips had moved in perfect sync with his own. But more than that, he remembered the daggers shooting from her friends' eyes, particularly the one called Elena. The memory sent a shiver down his spine, a curious mixture of desire and danger.

"Her friends looked ready to set me ablaze with a single glance," Caspian continued, his voice barely audible over the thrum of the music. "And yet, Lily..." He trailed off, lost in thought.

The scent of her lingered, teasing his senses. It was maddening, intoxicating. He found himself fighting the urge to track her down, to pull her close and lose himself in her warmth once more. What was this power she held over him?

"Caspian," Damien's voice cut through his reverie, concern evident in his tone. "This isn't like you. Whatever this is, it's dangerous. For both of you."

Caspian met his brother's gaze, a slow, predatory smile spreading across his face. "Perhaps, but danger has always been our closest companion, hasn't it, brother?"